Town Settles Lawsuit Over Man's Death While in Police Custody

A southern New Jersey town will pay $400,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by the widow of a man who died while in police custody.

The Courier-Post reports the settlement ends a federal court trial that started earlier this month. It stemmed from the November 2007 death of Joseph Pierce, a 43-year-old Maple Shade man.

Authorities say Pierce died of an apparent heart attack after being arrested by Cherry Hill police. That came after he allegedly stabbed a man during an altercation that followed a road-rage incident.

In her suit, Pierce's wife claimed her husband didn't receive proper medical attention while in custody, claims the town disputed.

Erin Gill, a lawyer for Cherry Hill, told the newspaper that the town settled to avoid the higher costs of continuing litigation.